OPEF has a wonderful staff of dedicated professionals who run our organization and our programs efficiently on a lean budget. Our program coordinators have all been with their programs since the beginning. Each year they get excited about adding new dimensions and recruiting more experts to work with our students.
 | Deb Abrahamson Executive Director & Art Start Coordinator Deb Abrahamson was named the first Executive Director of the Oak Park Education Foundation in August, 2006. She began her association with OPEF as a member of the Art Start development committee, and became Project Coordinator of Art Start at its inception in 1998. She received her degree in Communication from the University of Pennsylvania, attended Cornell University and the Sorbonne, and earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Chicago. Deb and her husband Tom have lived in Oak Park since 1989, where they raised 2 children who are now teaching English in Vietnam and Slovakia. |
 | Seth Baker Science Alliance Coordinator Seth has been teaching 6th-8th grades in Oak Park since 1994. He has participated in Science Alliance every year, and has coordinated the Science Alliance program (formerly known as Global Village) since 2005. A Golden Apple winner, Seth is also a member of the Educational Advisory Board of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Research Experience for Teachers program. He lives in Oak Park, has three children in the District 97 schools, and his wife teaches K-1st grade in District 97. |
 | Chris Goode Science Alliance Assistant Coordinator Chris is an architect with his own firm, Architecture and Conservation P.C., working to make new and renovated buildings more handsome, energy efficient and better for the environment. This is his second year as Science Alliance Assistant Program Coordinator and was a volunteer with the Architecture Adventure program in prior years. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and received his Masters from the University of Pennsylvania. He has lived in Oak Park since 2001 with his wife, Kate and two daughters who attend middle school and high school. |
 | Paul Goyette OPEF Webmaster Paul Goyette helped OPEF develop its website in early 2007 and has worked with the Foundation on its web presence and design needs ever since. Currently a stay-at-home dad and freelance photographer, Paul also has experience as a researcher in early childhood education. He lives in Oak Park with his wife and two young children. |
 | Gretchen Junker Geared Up Coordinator Gretchen Junker is the community member who proposed Geared Up to the Oak Park Education Foundation during our Call for Ideas to the community in May, 2008. She is the parent of 3 young boys and has lived in Oak Park for 3 years. Gretchen has a B.A. in Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington. "Geared Up shows kids that science (and school) can be fun," she says. "Our family has always had an interest in how things work, and that curiosity has managed to fuel our day-to-day life. For me, Geared Up is a natural extension of what my 3 sons and I have already incorporated into our ongoing family dialogue." |
 | Jason Madel Brooks Vex Robotics Team Coordinator Jason Madel taught the talented and gifted program at Percy Julian Middle School for 6th, 7th and 8th grade before moving to Gwendolyn Brooks Middle where he has been teaching 6th grade social studies, reading, and language art for the past 2 1/2 years. He has managed the Vex Robotics program at Brooks since his arrival. Jason graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington with a BA in English and History and worked for several years in marketing/advertising and public relations before getting his Masters in Education from Roosevelt University. Jason was the first manager of the Oak Park Children's Museum. He grew up in Oak Park and has always been passionate about education and teaching. |
 | Adrienne McMullen Architecture Adventure Coordinator Adrienne McMullen is one of the developers of Architecture Adventure and has been coordinator of the program since its inception. She is an Architect and parent to two District 97 students who has lived in Oak Park since 2002. Adrienne serves on the Oak Park American Youth Soccer Organization board and is a member of the Infant Welfare Society of Oak Park & River Forest. |
 | Jessica Moncatch Julian Vex Robotics Team Coordinator Jessica Moncatch is a sixth grade teacher at Percy Julian Middle School. She has been teaching math, science and reading for the past 3 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science from The University of Illinois where she majored in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics. She had a fantastic first year working with Vex Robotics and is already looking forward to working with the students next year! |
 | Jason Morrell Julian Vex Robotics Team Coordinator Jason Morrell has been teaching sixth grade science, reading, and language arts at Percy Julian Middle School for the last 3 years. He has participated in the Vex Robotics program for all three of those years. Jason graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in Sociology and worked for a few years in marketing/advertising before getting his Masters in Education from Roosevelt University. He has a life-long interest in anything science-related and has a passion for building and construction. |
 | Mark Pickus Vex Robotics Coordinator/Brooks Team Leader Mark Pickus has been coordinator of Vex Robotics program since he proposed the concept to OPEF in the summer of 2005. Mark has an MS in teaching of mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a life-long interest in computers, gadgets and technology. He taught mathematics and computer electives for more than 12 years, and has experience in the private sector working with computerized numerical control machinery. In addition, for six years he ran OPEF's Technology in Motion program. Mark is an Oak Park resident and works as District 97's Student Achievement Data Specialist. |
 | Patti Quilling OPEF Assistant Patti Qulling joined us in June, 2007 as Assistant to the Executive Director. She and her husband have lived in Oak Park for four years. Their two boys attend Mann Elementary School. Along with working for the Education Foundation, Patti is involved with several volunteer activities at Mann. Patti joins the Education Foundation after a brief career as a stay-at-home mom. Prior to that, she worked 15 years in the accounting software field. |
 | Don Robinson Brooks Vex Robotics Team Coordinator Don Robinson has worked with the special education department in District 97 for 8 years, and has worked with the Brooks Vex Robotics club for one year. He has a degree in Automotive Technology and a degree in Early Childcare Management. Don has a love for Track and Field and Cross Country, and works as the coach for both at Brooks. Born and raised in Oak Park, he continues to reside here with his two daughters. |
 | Lisa Sorensen Architecture Adventure Assistant Coordinator Lisa Sorensen joins the Architecture Adventure team as coordinator of our volunteers. Her former careers in teaching and public relations serve her well in this role. She is the mother of four children currently attending three Oak Park schools. Lisa has been active on the Beye School PTO, serves as a board member for The Economy Shop, and is a participant of OPRF High School's Citizens Council. She has called Oak Park home for nearly 20 years. |
 | Tim Walsh Julian Vex Robotics Team Leader Tim Walsh has taught seventh and eighth grade science at Julian since the year 2000. The idea of starting a robotics club at Julian sounded like a good idea and life for him at school has never been the same. Tim and his wife Susan live in Oak Park with their young daughters. |
"The tournament was the biggest high that I've ever had during my teaching career."
—Tim Walsh, Julian teacher and Vex Robotics Team Leader
While District 97 provides us office space in its administration building at 970 Madison Street in Oak Park, we are an independent, non-profit 501c3 organization, funded by the generous contributions of supporters like you.